Computational Skills of Non-Mathematics Major Students: Basis for Enhanced Mathematical Intervention

Abstract

Mathematics concept, forms as foundation to any field of specialization, providing avenue for critical thinking and logical reasoning. The authors of this study investigated the computational skills of non-math identified using cluster sampling. Data were gathered by means of a standardized questionnaire and classroom observations. Based on the findings, the result reveals that the respondents from technology students (BSIT and BSHRM) were poor in the manipulative skills while respondents from teacher Education students (BSHTE) whose average age is twenty-two (22) were good in manipulative skills. All respondents under survey resulted to poor performance on Combining-Like-Terms, Removal-Of-Grouping-Symbols and Substitution- Skills. The researchers concluded that computational skills of non-math major vary from courses, and from the average age of the respondents. Furthermore, poor performance may be attributed to their overdue duration of their learning in math, and could be associated with their non-interest on the survey because it is not a major part of their curriculum. Thus, the researchers recommend that instructors would formulate intervention to cater this less-develop majors in Palompon Institute of Technology- Tabango Campus. Descriptive research design was utilized in obtaining the needed information from the fifty-five (55) first year students’ respondents’ skill of the non-math students.